Jackson On Naismith Mid-Season List

NORMAN, Okla. --- Oklahoma senior Dionnah Jackson continues to be recognized nationally as the 5-9 point guard is one of 30 players to be named to the prestigious Naismith Women's Basketball Player of the Year Trophy mid-season list as announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club Monday.

The Naismith Trophy is the most prestigious national award presented annually to the men's and women's players of the year.

As a member of the Big 12 Conference, one of the toughest women's basketball leagues in the nation, Jackson ranks among the leagues best in 11 of 13 categories including points (14.5), rebounds (8.3) and assists (6.0) per game. She's also considered among the nation's elite at dishing out the rock.

The St. Louis, Mo., native has been named the Big 12 Player of the Week twice, produced eight double-doubles and has had one triple-double this season. She has also scored in double digits in 19 of 24 games as well as being the team's leading rebounder 16 times.

The three-year co-captain and starter ranks among OU's all-time greats in nine categories including third in assists (576) and steals (251), seventh in rebounding (773) and 10th in scoring (1,402).

Jackson is also a finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year, John R. Wooden All-American and Wade Trophy National Player of the Year.

The Top 30 list was compiled by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors, comprised of leading basketball journalists, coaches and administrators from around the country. The board based its criteria on player performances this season. The list was narrowed down from the pre-season list of 50 candidates who were announced at the beginning of the season.
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“These women represent the best college players in the nation,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Tipoff Club president. “The Atlanta Tipoff Club looks forward to seeing which player distinguishes themselves among all others to raise the Naismith Trophy in April.”

As part of its involvement, Cingular is making this year's selection process unique. For the first time, college basketball fans have a voice in deciding who wins the Naismith Trophy presented by Cingular Wireless through the power and ease of wireless text messaging.

Jackson will appear on the final ballot in March. Four finalists for the Naismith Trophy will be announced by the Atlanta Tipoff Club's Board of Selectors. Stacey Dales-Schuman and LaNeishea Caufield were the last two Sooners to be finalist for this award (2002).

Last year's Naismith Trophy recipient was the University of Connecticut's guard Diana Taurasi. Other notable women's college player of the year winners include Cheryl Miller, Rebecca Lobo, Sheryl Swoopes, Chamique Holdsclaw and Dawn Staley.

The mid-season candidates for the Naismith Trophy presented by Cingular Wireless are as follows:
DIONNAH JACKSON, OKLAHOMA
Seimone Augustus, LSU
Jacqueline Batteast, Notre Dame
Steffanie Blackmon, Baylor
Nikki Blue, UCLA
Lindsay Bowen, Michigan State
Jamie Carey, Texas
Monique Currie, Duke
Jessica Davenport, Ohio State
Jessalyn Deveny, Boston College
Shay Doron, Maryland
Ashley Earley, Vanderbilt
Shyra Ely, Tennessee
Sandora Irvin, TCU
Tiffany Jackson, Texas
Temeka Johnson, LSU
Ivory Latta, North Carolina
Sancho Lyttle, Houston
Janel McCarville, Minnesota
Cappie Pondexter, Rutgers
Noelle Quinn, UCLA
Khara Smith, DePaul
Kim Smith, Utah
Ann Strother, Connecticut
Barbara Turner, Connecticut
Kendra Wecker, Kansas State
Tan White, Mississippi State
Candice Wiggins, Stanford
Tanisha Wright, Penn State
Sophia Young, Baylor

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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